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As reggae as apple pie

American acts dominate Billboard 2018 chart

Billboard Magazine has revealed its 15 best-selling reggae albums of 2018. The list is compiled from its weekly Reggae Album Chart, based on sales data from Nielsen Music, which tracks sales across the United States.

The table is again dominated by American bands like Rebelution and SOJA, whose reputations are built on constant touring, mainly in the United States. Albums by high-profile Jamaican artistes such as Chronixx and Protoje, sold dismally.

44/876 by Sting and Shaggy occupies the number one spot. Released in April, it sold over 50,348 copies and spent 18 non-consecutive weeks at number one; it has not dropped outside the Top 10 since its release in April.

Free Rein by California band Rebelution is number two with 18,426 copies. Another act from the Golden State, Slightly Stoopid, is third with Everyday Life, Everyday People which was released July 13 by their Stoopid Records; it has to date sold 14,016 copies.

Both albums topped the reggae chart.

Iration's self-titled set was released on May 18 by Three Prong Records, and peaked at number two. It is fourth on the sales list with 8,745 copies.

Ziggy Marley's Rebellion Rises was issued by Sony Music Latin on May 18 and debuted at number one, staying there for two weeks. It closes the year at number five with sales of 8,078.

Damian Marley had the number one title for 2017 with Stony Hill. Last year, it sold over 16,000 copies and continues to trudge along in 2018, moving another 6,000 copies. It ranks at number six.

The compilation album, Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica, from Atlanta-based Amada Records and Contractor Music Group, is seventh with 4,858 copies sold.

Easy Star Records released The Green's Marching Orders in October 2017. The set sailed to the top spot in January and spent two weeks there to finish in eighth with 8,420 copies.

Nigerian artiste Henricci spent several weeks in the Top 10 with Sister Caro, an EP which peaked at number three. It has sold over 3,500 copies to hold the ninth spot.

Virginia band SOJA scored its fourth number one with Poetry in Motion which topped the chart in November last year. Released on October 20, the set has to date moved 8,470 for number 10.

Selling over 3,198 copies, Box Full of Steel by The Dubplates ranks number 11. At number 12 is Roots Party by Tribal Seeds, released last December. It has sold 3,961 copies.

In July, Protoje earned his second number one when A Matter of Time entered the chart on top. Released by In.Digg.Nation Collective and Overstand Entertainment, the album has sold 3,381 copies for number 13.

Never Ending by Beres Hammond marked the veteran singer's return to the charts after a six-year absence. The VP Music Group release gave Hammond his third number one, and has sold 2,591 copies since its October 12 release. It ranks at number 14.

The Grammy-nominated Chronology by Chronixx completes the top 15. Released in July 2017, it has sold just over 9,000 copies with 2,500 of that figure registered in 2018.

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